Walmart Inc. (WMT) stock is ending the week on a strong note — and at historic levels. Shares closed Friday, December 12, 2025, at $116.70, marking a record closing high, after touching an intraday 52-week high of $116.95. [1]
The move caps a headline-heavy stretch for the world’s largest retailer: Walmart’s stock is now trading on the Nasdaq after a high-profile transfer from the NYSE, investors digested the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut, and the company leaned into fast delivery + AI-powered shopping tools as the holiday season moves into its most important weeks. [2]
Below is a detailed breakdown of what moved Walmart stock this week, what analysts are forecasting for 2026, and the key catalysts that could shape WMT in the week ahead (starting Monday, Dec. 15).
Walmart stock this week: price action and key levels (week ended Dec. 12, 2025)
Friday’s close: $116.70 [3]
Friday’s intraday high: $116.95 [4]
Market cap (approx.): ~$930B [5]
How WMT traded day-by-day
Walmart started the week with a pullback, then climbed steadily into Friday’s record close:
- Mon (Dec. 8): $113.56 (down 1.35%) — snapped an eight-day winning streak [6]
- Tue (Dec. 9): $115.06 — Walmart’s first trading day on Nasdaq [7]
- Wed (Dec. 10): $113.18 — a dip as markets awaited the Fed decision [8]
- Thu (Dec. 11): $115.52 — rebound day [9]
- Fri (Dec. 12): $116.70 — up strongly even as broader markets fell [10]
Weekly performance
Using the Monday close ($113.56) and Friday close ($116.70), WMT gained about 2.77% for the week (Dec. 8–12). [11]
Levels investors are watching:
- Near-term resistance: the new high zone around $116.95 [12]
- Near-term support: the early-week low area around $113 (Dec. 10 close $113.18; Dec. 8 close $113.56) [13]
The big story this week: Walmart moved to Nasdaq — and the market is treating it like a “tech-forward” retailer
1) Nasdaq listing transfer is complete (ticker stays WMT)
Walmart officially completed its listing transfer and began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on Dec. 9, 2025, keeping the ticker WMT. [14]
This is not just symbolic. Reuters framed the switch as a major “win” for Nasdaq — and Walmart explicitly positioned the move as consistent with its “technology-forward” trajectory and ambitions in automation and AI. [15]
Walmart also marked the transition with an opening bell ceremony at Nasdaq MarketSite. [16]
2) Nasdaq 100 speculation… with a timing catch
One reason the Nasdaq move matters to traders: it raises the question of whether Walmart could eventually become eligible for Nasdaq 100 inclusion, potentially attracting incremental passive flows.
However, there’s an important near-term detail: Reuters reported that in this year’s Nasdaq 100 annual reshuffle, Walmart won’t be considered due to timing, with index changes expected after the Dec. 12 close and effective later in December. [17]
Still, sell-side commentary continues to highlight the strategic relevance. Jefferies, for example, called the move “more than symbolic,” tying it to the Nasdaq 100 narrative and maintaining a Buy rating with a $125 price target (per The Fly). [18]
Leadership transition remains a key “overhang” and talking point for WMT
Although the announcement came in mid-November, it’s still top-of-mind for many investors because it changes the long-term narrative at a company of Walmart’s size.
Walmart announced that Doug McMillon will retire as CEO on Jan. 31, 2026, with John Furner (Walmart U.S. CEO) becoming CEO effective Feb. 1, 2026. McMillon will stay on as an advisor through Jan. 31, 2027, according to the company. [19]
Reuters has also emphasized the transition as a central 2026 storyline for the stock. [20]
Why this matters for the stock:
- Investors typically re-rate mega-cap consumer names on perceived execution risk during leadership changes.
- Furner is closely associated with Walmart U.S. operational execution — which could be a plus if the market wants continuity.
- Any strategy updates tied to tech transformation (AI, automation, retail media, membership) could become more prominent under new leadership, a theme widely discussed in recent market commentary. [21]
Holiday demand catalysts: AI shopping tools + faster delivery cutoffs
Walmart is pushing hard on convenience — and the company is providing fresh data points that reinforce why investors often view WMT as a durable “holiday season winner,” especially when consumers are value-conscious.
1) Walmart’s Black Friday / Cyber Monday performance highlights speed and digital momentum
In a Dec. 2 corporate update, Walmart said that during Nov. 25–Dec. 1, it saw strong sales growth led by digital. It also highlighted:
- 57% more orders delivered from stores overall on Black Friday vs. last year
- 44% more orders delivered in under three hours on Black Friday vs. last year
- A “fastest delivery” example of 10 minutes [22]
Walmart also highlighted its GenAI assistant “Sparky” and said nearly 10 million shoppers used the Walmart app in stores for navigation, item discovery, and price comparisons. [23]
2) Christmas Eve delivery hours extended (a practical revenue lever)
On Dec. 9, Walmart announced it is extending its holiday deadlines, including Express Delivery up to 5 p.m. local time on Dec. 24, and highlighted that its faster delivery reaches 95% of U.S. households in under three hours. [24]
Business Insider also reported the Christmas Eve cutoff change and noted growing consumer willingness to pay for speed during December, along with the new “Get it Now” in-app feature. [25]
Why this matters for WMT stock:
- Late-season delivery deadlines can shift more “panic buying” baskets toward Walmart’s ecosystem.
- Faster fulfillment supports Walmart’s effort to win higher-frequency digital orders — and those repeat behaviors can matter beyond the holidays.
Macro backdrop this week: the Fed cut rates — and consumers are still watching prices
1) The Fed cut interest rates on Dec. 10
The Federal Reserve announced on Dec. 10, 2025 that it lowered the federal funds target range by 0.25 percentage point to 3.50%–3.75%. [26]
For retailers, rate cuts can be a double-edged signal:
- Lower rates can support consumer spending and equity multiples over time.
- But the Fed also noted inflation remains “somewhat elevated,” and uncertainty is still a theme in markets. [27]
2) Holiday affordability remains a real consumer story — which can favor “value” leaders
Consumer sentiment around holiday prices is still a major narrative. An AP-NORC poll (covered by PBS) found that about half of U.S. adults said it would be harder to afford holiday gifts, with many shoppers seeking deals and cutting back. [28]
For Walmart, this is often supportive: in “trade-down” environments, Walmart can take share in grocery and essentials — while its omnichannel improvements help it compete for higher-income baskets too (a point frequently cited in coverage of its recent performance and outlook). [29]
Analyst forecasts: what Wall Street expects for Walmart stock in 2026
Walmart’s rally into record territory raises the obvious question: is there still upside left — or is the market pricing in most of the good news? Here’s how the sell side frames it right now.
Consensus price targets
MarketWatch’s analyst snapshot shows a price-target range with high $136, median $121, and low $108 (as displayed in its analyst estimates module). [30]
Other recent notes and updates highlighted in market coverage include:
- Jefferies: Buy, $125 target (Nasdaq move “more than symbolic”) [31]
- Tigress Financial: raised target to $130 (reported by Investing.com) [32]
- Evercore ISI: maintained Outperform and reiterated a $117 target (reported by Nasdaq.com) [33]
What analysts are focusing on
Recent investor-facing narratives tend to cluster around four drivers:
- Omnichannel scale + delivery economics
Walmart’s store footprint doubles as a fulfillment network — and recent holiday updates again emphasized speed and store-fulfilled delivery growth. [34] - Tech and automation (“Walmart as a tech-powered retailer”)
Walmart and Reuters have both stressed automation and AI as core to Walmart’s evolution, aligning with the company’s explanation for the Nasdaq move. [35] - Retail media / advertising
Walmart’s advertising and data flywheel is a recurring reason bulls argue Walmart deserves a higher-quality multiple (especially as retail media becomes more material over time). [36] - Execution through the CEO transition
Markets will watch whether the leadership change in early 2026 brings continuity or strategic shifts. [37]
The main risk in the bullish setup
At record highs, expectations rise. Even bulls often point to:
- valuation sensitivity (a small earnings disappointment can matter more),
- wage and logistics cost pressures,
- and the possibility that the consumer slows faster than expected in 2026.
(Those risks are general retail realities, but they’re especially relevant when a stock is pricing in “near-perfect execution.”)
Week ahead outlook: what could move WMT next week (Dec. 15–19, 2025)
Here are the most important, time-specific catalysts to keep on your radar.
1) Retail sales data (macro catalyst for retail stocks)
The U.S. retail sales calendar is a key driver for the whole sector. The Census Bureau schedule shows an Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services release on Dec. 16, 2025 (8:30 a.m. ET). [38]
Even if the data isn’t “about Walmart,” it influences expectations for:
- holiday momentum,
- discounting intensity,
- and whether consumers are leaning into essentials vs. discretionary categories.
2) Nasdaq 100 reshuffle headlines (flows, sentiment — but WMT is a “next cycle” story)
Per Reuters, Nasdaq 100 index changes were expected after the Dec. 12 close with changes effective later in December — and Walmart won’t be considered this time due to timing. [39]
That said, the conversation itself can still affect sentiment around Walmart’s Nasdaq positioning and “tech-powered retailer” narrative.
3) Holiday fulfillment execution becomes the headline
Walmart has publicly set aggressive service promises for last-minute holiday delivery, including Express Delivery orders until 5 p.m. local time on Dec. 24 and same-day pickup/delivery cutoffs on Dec. 24. [40]
Investors will watch for:
- any incremental holiday performance updates,
- app adoption and conversion signals,
- and whether delivery speed continues to differentiate Walmart versus peers.
4) Trading setup: record highs can invite both momentum and profit-taking
With WMT closing at a record high and sitting near the top of its 52-week range, the stock may see:
- momentum-driven buying if markets stabilize,
- or short-term profit-taking if macro volatility spikes.
In the very near term, traders will likely keep an eye on the $116–$117 zone (recent highs) and the $113 area (this week’s pullback levels). [41]
Bottom line: the Walmart stock story is “defensive growth” — now at a premium
As of Dec. 12, 2025, Walmart stock is combining three narratives that the market has rewarded in 2025:
- Defensive retail strength (value + essentials),
- real omnichannel execution (delivery speed, app-based in-store tools),
- and a tech-forward transformation story that Walmart itself linked to its Nasdaq move. [42]
The trade-off: with WMT at record highs, the bar is higher — and next week’s catalysts (retail sales data, market volatility, and holiday execution headlines) may matter more than usual for short-term direction. [43]
References
1. www.investing.com, 2. www.nasdaq.com, 3. www.investing.com, 4. www.marketwatch.com, 5. www.marketwatch.com, 6. www.marketwatch.com, 7. www.investing.com, 8. www.investing.com, 9. www.investing.com, 10. www.marketwatch.com, 11. www.investing.com, 12. www.marketwatch.com, 13. www.investing.com, 14. www.nasdaq.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.reutersconnect.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.tipranks.com, 19. corporate.walmart.com, 20. www.reuters.com, 21. www.reuters.com, 22. corporate.walmart.com, 23. corporate.walmart.com, 24. corporate.walmart.com, 25. www.businessinsider.com, 26. www.federalreserve.gov, 27. www.federalreserve.gov, 28. www.pbs.org, 29. www.ft.com, 30. www.marketwatch.com, 31. www.tipranks.com, 32. www.investing.com, 33. www.nasdaq.com, 34. corporate.walmart.com, 35. www.reuters.com, 36. www.emarketer.com, 37. corporate.walmart.com, 38. www.census.gov, 39. www.reuters.com, 40. corporate.walmart.com, 41. www.marketwatch.com, 42. corporate.walmart.com, 43. www.census.gov
